This paper presents the development of a prototype for a new sensing device for anonymously evaluating space utilization, which includes usage factors such as occupancy levels, congregation and circulation patterns. This work builds on existing methods and technology for measuring building performance, human comfort and occupant experience in post-occupancy evaluations as well as pre-design strategic planning. The ability to collect data related to utilization and occupant experience has increased significantly due to the greater accessibility of sensor systems in recent years. As a result, designers are exploring new methods to empirically verify spatial properties that have traditionally been considered more qualitative in nature. With this premise, this study challenges current strategies that rely heavily on manual data collection and survey reports. The proposed sensing device is designed to supplement the traditional manual method with a new layer of automated, unbiased data that is capable of capturing environmental and social qualities of a given space. In a controlled experiment, the authors found that the data collected from the sensing device can be extrapolated to show how layout, spatial interventions or other design factors affect circulation, congregation, productivity, and occupancy in an office setting. In the future, this sensing device could provide designers with real-time feedback about how their designs influence occupants’ experiences, and thus allow the designers to base what are currently intuition-based decisions on reliable data and evidence.

Williams, Mani, Jane Burry, Asha Rao, and Nathan Williams (2015) A System for Tracking and Visualizing Social Interactions in a Collaborative Work Environment
, Proceedings of the Symposium on Simulation for Architecture & Urban Design, 1–4. Alexandria, VA: SimAUD